Multipurpose readiness indicator for off-wing slide raft

ABSTRACT

An inflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and a slide portion extending from the ramp portion. A multipurpose indicator tube may be fluidly coupled to the slide portion. A releasable restraint may be disposed between the multipurpose indicator tube and the slide portion. The releasable restraint may comprise a first restraint portion coupled to an end of the multipurpose indicator tube and a second restraint portion coupled to a toe end of the slide portion. The first restraint portion may be releasably coupled to the second restraint portion. A detachable restraint may be coupled to the slide portion and configured to detachably couple to the end of the multipurpose indicator tube.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to emergency evacuation equipment foraircraft and, more specifically, to an off-wing evacuation slide havinga multipurpose readiness indicator.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft evacuation systems, including inflatable evacuation slides, maybe used to exit an aircraft absent a jet way or other suitable means ofegress for passengers. In the event of a water landing, the inflatableevacuation slide may be employed as a life raft. Evacuation systems maydeploy from the side of an aircraft fuselage, for example, or from overa wing of the aircraft, i.e., “off-wing.”

A canopy for providing shelter, after a water landing, may be includedwith the evacuation system, as set forth by various governmentalagencies. Current canopy designs tend to employ a waterproof canopy,which can be tied or otherwise secured to the slide/raft, and canopysupport tubes configured to provide distance between the canopy and thesliding surface. The canopy supports tubes may be integral to the siderails of the slide/raft such that the support tubes inflate uponinflation of the slide or the canopy supports tubes may be distinctcomponents that are manually attached to the slide and orally inflatedby an evacuee. The support tubes tend to add extra weight to theevacuation system while serving a single purpose (i.e., canopy support).Further, inflating and/or attaching the support tubes can be difficultin high wind conditions.

SUMMARY

An inflatable slide is disclosed herein. In accordance with variousembodiments, the inflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and aslide portion extending from the ramp portion. A multipurpose indicatortube may be fluidly coupled to the slide portion. A releasable restraintmay be disposed between the multipurpose indicator tube and the slideportion. The releasable restraint may comprise a first restraint portioncoupled to a first end of the multipurpose indicator tube and a secondrestraint portion coupled to a toe end of the slide portion. The firstrestraint portion may be releasably coupled to the second restraintportion. A detachable restraint may be coupled to the slide portion andconfigured to detachably couple to the first end of the multipurposeindicator tube.

In various embodiments, a releasable support strap may be coupledbetween the ramp portion and the slide portion. A release assembly maybe coupled to the releasable support strap. The releasable support strapmay be configured to release tension from between the ramp portion andthe slide portion such that an angle of the slide portion relative tothe ramp portion changes in response to the release of tension frombetween the ramp portion and the slide portion. The ramp portion mayremain affixed to the slide portion after the release of tension frombetween the ramp portion and the slide portion.

In various embodiments, the releasable support strap may comprise afirst strap portion coupled to a second strap portion by a releasableconnection system. In various embodiments, the detachable restraint maycomprise at least one of a hook-and-loop type fastener, a snap-fastener,or lacing.

In various embodiments, the detachable restraint may be configured todetachably couple to the first restraint portion. In variousembodiments, a second end of the multipurpose indicator tube may becoupled to a first longitudinal tube of the slide portion and thedetachable restraint may be attached to a second longitudinal tube ofthe slide portion.

In various embodiments, the multipurpose indicator tube may beconfigured to form an arc extending between the first longitudinal tubeand the second longitudinal tube. In various embodiments, the firstrestraint portion may be configured to decouple from the secondrestraint portion in response to an internal pressure of the slideportion exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold.

In various embodiments, the first end of the multipurpose indicator tubemay be configured to pivot away from the first longitudinal tube inresponse to the first restraint portion decoupling from the secondrestraint portion.

An off-wing evacuation system is also disclosed herein. In accordancewith various embodiments, the off-wing evacuation system may comprise aninflatable slide configured to be deployed from an aircraft. Theinflatable slide may comprise a ramp portion and a slide portionextending from the ramp portion. A multipurpose indicator tube may beconfigured to pivot relative to the slide portion. A releasablerestraint may be disposed between the multipurpose indicator tube andthe slide portion. The releasable restraint may comprise a firstrestraint portion coupled to a first end of the multipurpose indicatortube and a second restraint portion coupled to a toe end of the slideportion. The first restraint portion may be releasably coupled to thesecond restraint portion. A detachable restraint may be coupled to theslide portion and configured to detachably couple to the first end ofthe multipurpose indicator tube. The off-wing evacuation system mayfurther comprise a canopy configured to be coupled to the inflatableslide.

In various embodiments, a releasable support strap may be coupledbetween the ramp portion and the slide portion. A release assembly maybe coupled to the releasable support strap. The releasable support strapmay be configured to release tension from between the ramp portion andthe slide portion such that an angle of the slide portion relative tothe ramp portion changes in response to the release of tension frombetween the ramp portion and the slide portion. The ramp portion mayremain affixed to the slide portion after the release of tension frombetween the ramp portion and the slide portion.

In various embodiments, the releasable support strap may comprise afirst strap portion coupled to a second strap portion by a releasableconnection system. The release assembly may further comprise a flexiblemember coupled to the releasable connection system. The releasableconnection system may comprise a thread system configured to unravel inresponse to a tensile force applied to the flexible member.

In various embodiments, the multipurpose indicator tube may beconfigured to support the canopy and maintain a distance between thecanopy and a sliding surface of the slide portion.

In various embodiments, the detachable restraint may comprise at leastone of a hook-and-loop type fastener, a snap-fastener, or lacing. Invarious embodiments, a second end of the multipurpose indicator tube maybe coupled to a first longitudinal tube of the slide portion and thedetachable restraint may be attached to a second longitudinal tube ofthe slide portion.

In various embodiments, the first restraint portion may be configured todecouple from the second restraint portion in response to an internalpressure of the slide portion exceeding a predetermined pressurethreshold. In various embodiments, the first end of the multipurposeindicator tube may be configured to pivot away from the firstlongitudinal tube in response to the first restraint portion decouplingfrom the second restraint portion.

A method of making an off-wing evacuation system is also disclosedherein. In accordance with various embodiments, the method may comprisecoupling a multipurpose indicator tube to a first longitudinal tube ofan inflatable slide, attaching a releasable restraint between a firstend of the multipurpose indicator tube and a toe end of the inflatableslide, and attaching a detachable restraint to a second longitudinaltube of the inflatable slide. The detachable restraint may be configuredto detachably couple to the first end of the multipurpose indicatortube.

In various embodiments, the method may further comprise coupling areleasable support strap to a ramp portion of the inflatable slide and aslide portion of the inflatable slide, and coupling a release assemblyto the releasable support strap. The releasable support strap may beconfigured to release tension from between the ramp portion and theslide portion such that an angle of the slide portion relative to theramp portion changes in response to the release of tension from betweenthe ramp portion and the slide portion. The ramp portion may remainaffixed to the slide portion after the release of tension from betweenthe ramp portion and the slide portion.

In various embodiments, the method may further comprise configuring afirst restraint portion of the releasable restraint to decouple from asecond restraint portion of the releasable restraint in response to aninternal pressure of the inflatable slide exceeding a predeterminedpressure threshold, and configuring the detachable restraint todetachably couple to the first restraint portion. The first restraintportion may be attached to the first end of the multipurpose indicatortube.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise.These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will becomemore apparent in light of the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. It should be understood, however, the following descriptionand drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the figures, wherein like numerals denotelike elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an off-wing evacuation system in slidemode and having a multipurpose readiness indicator in a deployedposition, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of an off-wing evacuation system in slidemode and having a multipurpose readiness indicator in a stowed position,in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2B illustrates a releasable restraint assembly for a multipurposereadiness indicator of an off-wing inflatable evacuation system, inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate a releasable connection system for areleasable support strap, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a side view and a cross-section view,respectively, of an off-wing evacuation system in raft mode with themultipurpose readiness indicator of the off-wing evacuation system inthe deployed position, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a side view and a cross-section view,respectively, of an off-wing evacuation system in raft mode with themultipurpose readiness indicator of the off-wing evacuation system inthe canopy mode position, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4C illustrates a detachable restraint disposed between amultipurpose readiness indicator and the side rail of an off-wingevacuation slide, in accordance with various embodiments,

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a perspective view and a cross-section view,respectively, of a canopy attached over a multipurpose readinessindicator of an off-wing evacuation system, in accordance with variousembodiments; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of making an evacuation system, inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way ofillustration. While these various embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that logical, chemical, and mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, thedetailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustrationonly and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of themethod or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are notnecessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any referenceto singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more thanone component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also,any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may includepermanent, removable, temporary, partial, full, and/or any otherpossible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to withoutcontact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimalcontact.

Surface shading and/or cross hatching lines may be used throughout thefigures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the sameor different materials. Throughout the present disclosure, likereference numbers denote like elements. Accordingly, elements with likeelement numbering may be shown in the figures, but may not benecessarily repeated herein for the sake of clarity. As used herein,“proximate” refers to a direction inward, or generally, towards thereference component.

Off-wing evacuation systems of the present disclosure may includeinflatable slides having a multipurpose readiness indicator. Theinflatable slides may deploy over a wing of the aircraft and may includea ramp portion and a slide portion. A first end of the multipurposereadiness indicator is releasably coupled to the inflatable slide. Thefirst end of the multipurpose readiness indicator is configured to pivotto a deployed position when the slide is fully inflated and ready forpassengers. In the event of a water landing, the inflatable slide may bedetached from the aircraft and used as a life raft. When in raft mode,the first end of the multipurpose readiness indicator may be detachablycoupled to an opposing side rail of the inflatable slide to serve as acanopy support. Thus, in slide mode, the multipurpose readinessindicator decouples from the slide to signal to evacuees that theinflatable slide is ready for use, reducing occurrences of evacueesentering the slide before it is fully inflated, and in the event of awater landing, the multipurpose readiness indicator may be recoupled tothe inflatable slide to serve as a canopy support.

With reference to FIG. 1, an off-wing evacuation system 100 in slidemode and having a multipurpose readiness indicator 200 in a deployedposition is illustrated. In accordance with various embodiments,off-wing evacuation system 100 may deploy from an aircraft 102. Off-wingevacuation system 100 may include an inflatable slide 110. According tovarious embodiments, inflatable slide 110 may be used for emergencyevacuation of aircraft 102 and may be configured to pack within acompartment of the aircraft 102 (e.g., in an aircraft door, a slidebustle, etc.). Inflatable slide 110 may be positioned near an exit door106 of aircraft 102. In various embodiments, exit door 106 may belocated over a wing 108 of aircraft 102. In the event of an emergency,exit door 106 may be opened by a passenger or crew member of aircraft102. Inflatable slide 110 may deploy in response to the passenger orcrew member opening exit door 106. In various embodiments, inflatableslide 110 may deploy in response to another action taken by a passengeror crew member such as, for example, depression of a button or actuationof a lever.

Off-wing evacuation system 100 may include an inflation source 104coupled to inflatable slide 110 and configured to inflate inflatableslide 110. Inflation source 104 may include one or more aspirators andcompressed fluid sources, which may include a compressed gas tank, aninflation cylinder, pyrotechnic apparatus, or other suitable inflationdevice. Upon deployment, inflation source 104 may deliver a pressurizedfluid (such as in a gaseous state) to fill inflatable slide 110 with thepressurized fluid. Aspirators may draw gas from the environment throughthe aspirator and may direct the environmental gas into the inflatableslide 110. In response to receiving the pressurized fluid and theenvironmental gas, inflatable slide 110 may begin to inflate. In variousembodiments, inflatable slide 110 may be inflated during initialdeployment to a pressure, for example, between 2 pounds per square inch(psi) or 13.8 kilopascals (kPA) and 5 psi (34.5 kPA), and morespecifically, to a pressure of about 3 psi (20.7 kPA), wherein “about”in this context only means +/−0.5 psi.

Inflatable slide 110 may extend from exit door 106, and may comprise aramp portion 112 and a slide portion 114. In an initial deployed state,shown in FIG. 1, inflatable slide 110 may operate as both a ramp and aslide (i.e., “slide mode”) to permit egress of passengers from aircraft102. Ramp portion 112 may be secured to aircraft 102, such as by a girt.Ramp portion 112 may extend across a portion of wing 108 to allowevacuees to walk or traverse across wing 108 to access slide portion 114of inflatable slide 110. In this regard, evacuees may exit aircraft 102onto wing 108, enter and walk across ramp portion 112, and then slidedown the slide portion 114 to an exit surface. Ramp portion 112 may begenerally horizontal, i.e., a walking surface may be generally in thex-z plane, and may also be slightly angled with respect to the x-z planeand conform to the surface geometry of wing 108.

In various embodiments, slide portion 114 may extend from ramp portion112 and generally slope downward (in the negative y-direction) toward anexit surface. Slide portion 114 may comprise a head end 116. Head end116 of slide portion 114 may be coupled to or integral with ramp portion112. A toe end 118 of slide portion 114 may contact the exit surface.The exit surface may be, for example water, a runway, uneven terrain orother any other surface. Inflatable slide 110 may be removably coupledto the fuselage of aircraft 102. Inflatable slide 110 may be decoupledfrom aircraft 102 in response to being fully inflated or being manuallydetached in order to allow passengers and/or crew members to safelyfloat away from the aircraft 102.

In various embodiments, inflatable slide 110 may comprise an upperchamber 130 and a lower chamber 132. In various embodiments, rampportion 112 and slide portion 114 may comprise a continuous chamber. Forexample, upper chamber 130 may include a plurality of tubes forming onecontinuous gas fillable chamber, and lower chamber 132 may also includea plurality of tubes forming another continuous gas fillable chamber.Each of upper chamber 130 and lower chamber 132 may be configured toinflate in response to receiving pressurized gas from inflation source104. In various embodiments, upper chamber 130 may be fluidly coupled tolower chamber 132. Upper chamber 130 and/or lower chamber 132 mayinclude longitudinal tubes extending from head end 116 of slide portion114 to toe end 118.

In various embodiments, ramp portion 112 and slide portion 114 mayinclude transverse tubes 134 configured to support inflatable slide 110against buckling under heavy load while in slide mode. Transverse tubes134 may extend laterally between the longitudinal tubes of lower chamber132 and/or the longitudinal tubes of upper chamber 130.

In slide mode, it is desirable for inflatable slide 110 to havesufficient rigidity or beam strength, when in an inflated state, forevacuees to jump onto the slide portion 114 of inflatable slide 110 andslide down. Upper chamber 130 and lower chamber 132 may each inflate toat least a minimum pressure to provide sufficient beam strength tooperate as a slide. For example, a pressure of 3.0 psi (20.7 kPA) may bea minimum pressure desired within upper chamber 130 to achieve a desiredbeam strength. One or more releasable support straps 140 may couple toupper chamber 130, lower chamber 132, and/or transverse tubes 134 andmay operate as tension members to support inflatable slide 110 againstbuckling under heavy loads. Releasable support straps 140 may maintainthe position of ramp portion 112 and slide portion 114 while in slidemode.

Releasable support straps 140 may provide reinforcing tension andleverage for controlling undesired movement of the ramp portion 112and/or slide portion 114, for example, while inflatable slide 110operates in slide mode. Releasable support straps 140 may be coupledbetween ramp portion 112 and slide portion 114 to operate as tensionlinks to reduce the relative motion between slide portion 114 and rampportion 112. Releasable support straps 140 may be secured to upperchamber 130 of slide portion 114 at an anchor point 156, and to lowerchamber 132 or transverse tube 134 of ramp portion 112 at an anchorpoint 158. Slide portion 114 may be oriented at angle ranging from 15 to45 degrees relative to a horizontal plane (e.g., A-A′ in FIG. 3A)extending from ramp portion 112, or more specifically, ranging from 20to 40 degrees. Releasable support straps 140 may maintain the angle ofslide portion 114 to provide a safe descent for evacuees sliding downslide portion 114.

Inflatable slide 110 includes a multipurpose indicator tube 200. In FIG.1, multipurpose indicator tube 200 is shown in the deployed position.Multipurpose indicator tube 200 may be fluidly coupled to slide portion114 of inflatable slide 110. For example, multipurpose indicator tube200 may be in fluid communication with upper chamber 130 and/or lowerchamber 132. Upon inflation of slide portion 114, multipurpose indicatortube 200 will be inflated and will extend upwardly such that a first end202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200 is located at or above a line ofsight of a flight attendant or passenger located proximate exit door106. Locating first end 202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200 at orabove the line of sight allows the flight attendant or passenger todetermine by sight from within the fuselage whether the slide portion114 is inflated and extended to a position that allows the passengers tobe evacuated safely from the aircraft. In various embodiments, a markingtape 204 may be wrapped around multipurpose indicator tube 200 proximateto first end 202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200. Marking tape 204may increase the visibility of multipurpose indicator tube 200.Multipurpose indicator tube 200 is configured to allow flight attendantsand passenger to look out exit door 106 of aircraft 102 and by observingthe positions of multipurpose indicator tube 200 determine if slideportion 114, which is generally not visible from exit door 106, is incondition (e.g., sufficiently inflated) for evacuating passengers.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, a topview of inflatable slide 110 of off-wing evacuation system 100 is shown.In various embodiments, upper chamber 130 may include longitudinal tubes130 a, 130 b, which may be the upper chamber 130 of ramp portion 112 andslide portion 114. Longitudinal tubes 130 a, 130 b may be laterallyspaced apart and may support a walking surface 142 and a sliding surface148 therebetween. According to various embodiments, ramp portion 112comprises walking surface 142, a proximal edge 144 forming the rampentrance, and may include hand rails 146. Ramp portion 112 may besupported by wing 108, for example, ramp portion 112 may be configuredto rest upon the wing 108. Slide portion 114 comprises sliding surface148, which may be supported by upper chamber 130, lower chamber 132,and/or transverse tubes 134.

In FIG. 2A, multipurpose indicator tube 200 is shown in the stowedposition. In various embodiments, a second end 206 of multipurposeindicator tube 200 is fluidly coupled to longitudinal tube 130 a. Inaccordance with various embodiments, a releasable restraint 212 isdisposed between first end 202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200 andtoe end 118 of slide portion 114. Releasable restraint 212 mayreleasably couple multipurpose indicator tube 200 to toe end 118. Forexample, with combined reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a first restraintportion 212 a of releasable restraint 212 may be attached tomultipurpose indicator tube 200 and a second restraint portion 212 b ofreleasable restraint 212 may be attached to toe end 118. First restraintportion 212 a may be releasably coupled to second restraint portion 212b by a releasable connection system 214. In various embodiments,releasable connection system 214 may comprise a thread system. Invarious embodiments, releasable connection system 214 may comprise speedlacing, tape, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or other disengagablefastening system. When first restraint portion 212 a is coupled tosecond restraint portion 212 b, first end 202 of multipurpose indicatortube 200 remains proximate longitudinal tube 130 a. When first restraintportion 212 a is decoupled from second restraint portion 212 b, firstend 202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200 may rotate away fromlongitudinal tube 130 a (i.e., to the deployed position), as shown inFIG. 1.

In accordance with various embodiments, first restraint portion 212 a isconfigured to decouple or otherwise disengage from second restraintportion 212 b, in response to an internal pressure in slide portion 114exceeding a predetermined threshold pressure. For example, in responseto slide portion 114 being deployed, inflation source 104 may supply aflow of pressurized fluid to inflatable slide 110, thereby causing aninternal pressure of inflatable slide 110 to increase. The increase ininternal pressure may cause slide portion 114 to unfold, for example,toe end 118 may translate away from head end 116. In response to theinternal pressure of slide portion 114 exceeding a predeterminedthreshold pressure and/or to translation of toe end 118 to a fullydeployed position, first restraint portion 212 a decouples from secondrestraint portion 212 b, thereby allowing multipurpose indicator tube200 to translate to the deployed position (e.g., allowing first end 202of multipurpose indicator tube 200 to translate away from longitudinaltube 130 a and toe end 118).

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, off-wing evacuationsystem 100 may comprise a release assembly 170, which may be configuredto decouple inflatable slide 110 from aircraft 102 and to disengage oneor more releasable support straps 140 to allow inflatable slide 110 tobe used as a raft (i.e., “raft mode”). Release assembly 170 may be inoperable communication with releasable support straps 140. In variousembodiments, release assembly 170 may comprise an actuation structure172, such as a handle, configured to cause one or more releasablesupport straps 140 to decouple from between ramp portion 112 and slideportion 114. Release assembly 170 may include a flexible member 174, anda releasable connection system 176. In various embodiments, actuationstructure 172 may be located at a proximal end 178 of flexible member174. Actuation structure 172 may comprise a pull handle, and releaseassembly 170 may be configured to be engaged or operated manually. Inthis regard, in response to a tensioning force being applied toactuation structure 172, flexible member 174 may release one or morereleasable support straps 140. In this manner, a single handle may beprovided to release a plurality of releasable support straps 140 ofinflatable slide 110 to decouple the tension link of releasable supportstraps 140 from between ramp portion 112 and slide portion 114. Stateddifferently, release assembly 170 and releasable support straps 140 maybe configured to allow the use of an off-wing evacuation system as araft, for example, in the event of a water landing.

Release assembly 170 may be coupled to releasable support straps 140 andmay be configured to release or de-couple the releasable support straps140 in response to a tensile force F in flexible member 174 exceeding aselected threshold tensile force. In various embodiments, flexiblemember 174 may comprise a cable. Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D, areleasable support strap 140 is shown, in accordance with variousembodiments. Releasable support strap 140 may comprise a first strapportion 182 releasably coupled to a second strap portion 184. Firststrap portion 182 may be releasably coupled to second strap portion 184by releasable connection system 176. In various embodiments, releasableconnection system 176 may comprise a thread system. While releasableconnection system 176 is illustrated as including thread system, it isfurther contemplated and understood that releasable connection system176 may comprise speed lacing, tape, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, orother disengagable fastening system.

In various embodiments, flexible member 174 may be coupled to releasablesupport strap 140 at releasable connection system 176. Releasableconnection system 176 may be disposed at any point along the length ofreleasable support strap 140 including at anchor point 156 or anchorpoint 158. Releasable connection system 176 may retain a first strapportion 182 of releasable support strap 140 to a second strap portion184 of releasable support strap 140. First strap portion 182 ofreleasable support strap 140 may separate or decouple from second strapportion 184 of releasable support strap 140 in response to a tensileforce F, imparted by flexible member 174, onto releasable connectionsystem 176. Stated differently, releasable connection system 176 maydisengage or uncouple in response to a tensile force F, imparted byflexible member 174, on releasable connection system 176. In the case ofa thread system, the thread system may be stitched in a manner such thatthe tensile force F imparted by flexible member 174 onto the threadsystem may undo and/or break the stitching of the thread system. In thisregard, releasable support strap 140 may be decoupled in response toflexible member 174 pulling the thread system.

FIG. 2D illustrates first strap portion 182 of releasable support strap140 decoupled from second strap portion 184 of releasable support strap140, with flexible member 174 having caused releasable connection system176 to disengage. In this regard, releasable support strap 140 may bedecoupled or released in response to actuation structure 172 (FIG. 2A)being pulled, which may allow inflatable slide 110 to flatten and tofunction as a raft (FIG. 3A).

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, inflatable slide 110 is shown in raft modewith multipurpose indicator tube in the deployed position. Inflatableslide 110 is shown with a plurality of releasable support straps 140,such as a first releasable support strap 140 a and a second releasablesupport strap 140 b, in a decoupled state. Release assembly 170 (FIG.2A) coupled to the releasable support straps 140 may be manually engagedto release the tension link of releasable support straps 140 frombetween ramp portion 112 and slide portion 114. Upon decouplingreleasable support straps 140, slide portion 114 and ramp portion 112may move or rotate relative to each other at a flexible joint 190. Slideportion 114 and ramp portion 112 are configured to be disposed in asubstantially parallel position in response to one or more of releasablesupport straps 140 being decoupled by the operation of release assembly170.

In various embodiments, a first strap portion 182 a detaches from asecond strap portion 184 a of first releasable support strap 140 a.Similarly, a first strap portion 182 b detaches from a second strapportion 184 b of second releasable support strap 140 b. With releasablesupport straps 140 decoupled, using for example release assembly 170from FIG. 2A, the tension in releasable support straps 140 is reducedand slide portion 114 may rotate relative to ramp portion 112 until rampportion 112 and slide portion 114 are substantially parallel. Once inraft mode, ramp portion 112 may be decoupled from aircraft 102 such thatinflatable slide 110 may float away from aircraft 102.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B inflatable slide 110 is shown in raft modewith multipurpose indicator tube 200 in a canopy mode position. Inaccordance with various embodiments, a detachable restraint 220 isattached to slide portion 114 of inflatable slide 110. In variousembodiments, detachable restraint 220 may be attached to longitudinaltube 130 b of upper chamber 130. Detachable restraint 220 is configuredto engage first end 202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200.

In accordance with various embodiments, first end 202 of multipurposeindicator tube 200 may be rotated toward detachable restraint 220 on thelaterally opposite longitudinal tube 130 b. Detachable restraint 220 isconfigured to engage first end 202 of multipurpose indicator tube 200.In various embodiments, detachable restraint may engage first restraintportion 212 a of releasable restraint 212. For example, in variousembodiments, first restraint portion may comprise a loop configured toreceive strap 222 of detachable restraint 220. Strap 222 may be attachedto itself via hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-fasteners, speed lacing, orother detachable fastener. A hook-and-loop type fastener (also referredto as a hook-and-pile fastener, touch fastener, or VELCRO®) is comprisedof two sections, one section having an array of hook-like projectionsthat engage an array of loop-like projections of a second section. Asnap-fastener (also referred to as a press stud or a snap) is alsocomprised of two sections, one having a stud, projection, or lip thatcan be pressed into engagement with a complementary groove, receptacle,socket, or orifice to create a resistance and/or interference fitbetween the two sections. Lacing may comprise a lace threaded throughopenings defined by strap 222.

In various embodiments, detachable restraint 220 may include a firstsection of hook-and-loop material (e.g., one of either an array of hooksor an array of loops) or a first snap-fastener elements (e.g., eithermale studs or female receptacles) or first openings, and first end 202of multipurpose indicator tube 200 may include a second section ofhook-and-loop material (e.g., the other of the array of hooks or thearray of loops) or second snap-fastener elements (e.g., the other ofmale studs or female receptacles), or a second set of openings. Invarious embodiments, detachable restraint 220 may include a firstsection of hook-and-loop material (e.g., one of either an array of hooksor an array of loops) or a first snap-fastener elements (e.g., eithermale studs or female receptacles) or first openings, and first restraintportion 212 a may include a second section of hook-and-loop material(e.g., the other of the array of hooks or the array of loops) or secondsnap-fastener elements (e.g., the other of male studs or femalereceptacles), or a second set of openings.

In the event of a water landing, first end 202 of multipurpose indicatortube 200 may be coupled to slide portion 114 and may serve as a canopysupport tube. For example, an evacuee may rotate first end 202 towarddetachable restraint 220 and couple detachable restraint 220 to forexample, first restraint portion 212 a of (e.g., by engaging the firstsection of hook-and-loop material with the second section ofhook-and-loop material, by engaging the first snap-fastener elementswith the second snap-fastener elements, or by locating a lace throughthe first and second openings. In various embodiments, multipurposeindicator tube 200 may be configured such that, when first end 202 iscoupled to longitudinal tube 130 b, multipurpose indicator tube 200 mayform an arc extending between longitudinal tube 130 a and longitudinaltube 130 b.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, off-wing evacuation system 100 may includea canopy 250. Canopy 250 may be included in a canopy kit 252 (FIG. 2A)stored on and/or attached to inflatable slide 110. Canopy 250 may bedisposed over inflatable slide 110 to provide shelter and protectevacuees from rain, sun, and/or wind. Canopy 250 may be tied tolongitudinal tubes 130 a, 130 b via ties 230. Multipurpose indicatortube 200 may support canopy 250 and maintain a desired distance betweencanopy 250 and sliding surface 148. In various embodiments, multipurposeindicator tube 200 may be maintained in an upright position by acompressive force applied to multipurpose indicator tube 200 by canopy250. Stated another way, the tautness with which canopy 250 is tied tolongitudinal tubes 130 a, 130 b may prevent multipurpose indicator tube200 from translating toward sliding surface.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method 300 of making an off-wing evacuationsystem is illustrated. In accordance with various embodiments, method300 may comprise coupling a multipurpose indicator tube to a firstlongitudinal tube of an inflatable slide (step 302), attaching areleasable restraint between a first end of the multipurpose indicatortube and a toe end of the inflatable slide (step 304), and attaching adetachable restraint to a second longitudinal tube of the inflatableslide (step 306). In various embodiments, the detachable restraint isconfigured to detachably couple to the first end of the multipurposeindicator tube.

In various embodiments, method 300 may further include coupling areleasable support strap to a ramp portion of the inflatable slide and aslide portion of the inflatable slide (step 308) and coupling a releaseassembly to the releasable support strap (step 310). In variousembodiments, the releasable support strap is configured to releasetension from between the ramp portion and the slide portion such that anangle of the slide portion relative to the ramp portion changes inresponse to the release of tension from between the ramp portion and theslide portion. In various embodiments, the ramp portion remains affixedto the slide portion after the release of tension from between the rampportion and the slide portion.

In various embodiments, method 300 may further include configuring afirst restraint portion of the releasable restraint to decouple from asecond restraint portion of the releasable restraint in response to aninternal pressure of the inflatable slide exceeding a predeterminedpressure threshold. The first restraint portion is attached to the firstend of the multipurpose indicator tube. In various embodiments, method300 may further include configuring the detachable restraint todetachably couple to the first restraint portion.

Benefits and other advantages have been described herein with regard tospecific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in thevarious figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplaryfunctional relationships and/or physical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships or physical connections may be present in apractical system. However, the benefits, advantages, and any elementsthat may cause any benefit or advantage to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure isaccordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, inwhich reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C”is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted tomean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may bepresent in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, orthat any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in asingle embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and Band C.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “various embodiments”, “oneembodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicatethat the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic isdescribed in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it iswithin the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature,structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodimentswhether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, itwill be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implementthe disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f)unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” Asused herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable slide, comprising: a ramp portion;a slide portion extending from the ramp portion; a multipurposeindicator tube fluidly coupled to the slide portion; a releasablerestraint disposed between the multipurpose indicator tube and the slideportion, the releasable restraint comprising a first restraint portioncoupled to a first end of the multipurpose indicator tube and a secondrestraint portion coupled to a toe end of the slide portion, wherein thefirst restraint portion is releasably coupled to the second restraintportion; and a detachable restraint coupled to the slide portion andconfigured to detachably couple to the first end of the multipurposeindicator tube.
 2. The inflatable slide of claim 1, further comprising:a releasable support strap coupled between the ramp portion and theslide portion; and a release assembly coupled to the releasable supportstrap, wherein the releasable support strap is configured to releasetension from between the ramp portion and the slide portion such that anangle of the slide portion relative to the ramp portion changes inresponse to the release of tension from between the ramp portion and theslide portion, and wherein the ramp portion remains affixed to the slideportion after the release of tension from between the ramp portion andthe slide portion.
 3. The inflatable slide of claim 2, wherein thereleasable support strap comprises a first strap portion coupled to asecond strap portion by a releasable connection system.
 4. Theinflatable slide of claim 1, wherein the detachable restraint comprisesat least one of a hook-and-loop type fastener, a snap-fastener, orlacing.
 5. The inflatable slide of claim 1, wherein the detachablerestraint is configured to detachably couple to the first restraintportion.
 6. The inflatable slide of claim 1, wherein a second end of themultipurpose indicator tube is coupled to a first longitudinal tube ofthe slide portion and the detachable restraint is attached to a secondlongitudinal tube of the slide portion.
 7. The inflatable slide of claim6, wherein the multipurpose indicator tube is configured to form an arcextending between the first longitudinal tube and the secondlongitudinal tube.
 8. The inflatable slide of claim 7, wherein the firstrestraint portion is configured to decouple from the second restraintportion in response to an internal pressure of the slide portionexceeding a predetermined pressure threshold.
 9. The inflatable slide ofclaim 8, wherein the first end of the multipurpose indicator tube isconfigured to pivot away from the first longitudinal tube in response tothe first restraint portion decoupling from the second restraintportion.
 10. An off-wing evacuation system, comprising: an inflatableslide configured to be deployed from an aircraft, the inflatable slidecomprising: a ramp portion; a slide portion extending from the rampportion; a multipurpose indicator tube configured to pivot relative tothe slide portion; a releasable restraint disposed between themultipurpose indicator tube and the slide portion, the releasablerestraint comprising a first restraint portion coupled to a first end ofthe multipurpose indicator tube and a second restraint portion coupledto a toe end of the slide portion, wherein the first restraint portionis releasably coupled to the second restraint portion; and a detachablerestraint coupled to the slide portion and configured to detachablycouple to the first end of the multipurpose indicator tube; and a canopyconfigured to be coupled to the inflatable slide.
 11. The off-wingevacuation system of claim 10, further comprising: a releasable supportstrap coupled between the ramp portion and the slide portion; and arelease assembly coupled to the releasable support strap, wherein thereleasable support strap is configured to release tension from betweenthe ramp portion and the slide portion such that an angle of the slideportion relative to the ramp portion changes in response to the releaseof tension from between the ramp portion and the slide portion, andwherein the ramp portion remains affixed to the slide portion after therelease of tension from between the ramp portion and the slide portion.12. The off-wing evacuation system of claim 11, wherein the releasablesupport strap comprises a first strap portion coupled to a second strapportion by a releasable connection system, the release assembly furthercomprising a flexible member coupled to the releasable connectionsystem, and wherein the releasable connection system comprises a threadsystem configured to unravel in response to a tensile force applied tothe flexible member.
 13. The off-wing evacuation system of claim 12,wherein the multipurpose indicator tube is configured to support thecanopy and maintain a distance between the canopy and a sliding surfaceof the slide portion.
 14. The off-wing evacuation system of claim 10,wherein the detachable restraint comprises at least one of ahook-and-loop type fastener, a snap-fastener, or lacing.
 15. Theoff-wing evacuation system of claim 10, wherein a second end of themultipurpose indicator tube is coupled to a first longitudinal tube ofthe slide portion and the detachable restraint is attached to a secondlongitudinal tube of the slide portion.
 16. The off-wing evacuationsystem of claim 15, wherein the first restraint portion is configured todecouple from the second restraint portion in response to an internalpressure of the slide portion exceeding a predetermined pressurethreshold.
 17. The off-wing evacuation system of claim 16, wherein thefirst end of the multipurpose indicator tube is configured to pivot awayfrom the first longitudinal tube in response to the first restraintportion decoupling from the second restraint portion.
 18. A method ofmaking an off-wing evacuation system, comprising: coupling amultipurpose indicator tube to a first longitudinal tube of aninflatable slide; attaching a releasable restraint between a first endof the multipurpose indicator tube and a toe end of the inflatableslide; and attaching a detachable restraint to a second longitudinaltube of the inflatable slide, wherein the detachable restraint isconfigured to detachably couple to the first end of the multipurposeindicator tube.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: couplinga releasable support strap to a ramp portion of the inflatable slide anda slide portion of the inflatable slide; and coupling a release assemblyto the releasable support strap, wherein the releasable support strap isconfigured to release tension from between the ramp portion and theslide portion such that an angle of the slide portion relative to theramp portion changes in response to the release of tension from betweenthe ramp portion and the slide portion, and wherein the ramp portionremains affixed to the slide portion after the release of tension frombetween the ramp portion and the slide portion.
 20. The method of claim19, further comprising: configuring a first restraint portion of thereleasable restraint to decouple from a second restraint portion of thereleasable restraint in response to an internal pressure of theinflatable slide exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold, whereinthe first restraint portion is attached to the first end of themultipurpose indicator tube; and configuring the detachable restraint todetachably couple to the first restraint portion.